NASA Space Reactor – 1 Freedom Flight Software Verification and Validation (V&V) Test Engineer

Description

The company is hiring a flight software verification and validation test engineer for the Space Reactor-1 Freedom program at NASA Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas.

You will review flight software requirements, then write, run and log test cases that verify the integrated flight software and its data products.

The work takes place in the program's test labs and includes writing scripts for automated verification testing.

The role calls for systems engineering experience, including system architecture and integration. You will set the pass or fail criteria for verification, analyze the results, and help shape the test automation approach.

The team is looking for someone self-motivated and technically deep, with clear communication, problem-solving skills, and a collaborative, customer-focused approach. You should be flexible, work well in a team, and explain complex technical ideas clearly and persuasively. The program supports human spaceflight and space exploration.

Responsibilities

• Write flight software V&V test cases.
• Review integrated flight software requirements from a verification standpoint and give feedback.
• Write and dry-run V&V procedures from the SR-1 FSW requirements and the FSW V&V Plan, then test and check them out when facility capabilities allow.
• Build JSON-based Core Flight Software (CFS) Test Framework (CTF) scripts to automate verification tests.
• Run V&V tests of flight software and data products in test labs, including the Space Reactor-1 Freedom Software and Avionics Lab (SSAL).
• Follow JSC flight software processes when performing and documenting V&V testing.
• Use data tools to build traceability assessments showing verification coverage.
• Analyze flight software use cases for expected behavior and results of the SR-1 software system.
• Extract and analyze detailed test results, and verify integrated flight software requirements.
• Identify software that fails to meet its requirements.
• Audit and inspect Level 3 flight software testing.
• Support V&V Plan revisions and updates when assigned.
• Evaluate test automation concepts, capabilities and tools that reduce the time needed to build and dry-run integrated V&V procedures.

Requirements

• Required: You must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident to access US Government facilities.
• Required: A B.S. in aerospace, mechanical, electrical, computer or software engineering, computer science, or a related field.
• Required: At least 3 years as a software developer or test engineer writing scripts. More experience is highly valued.
• Required: Skill in one or more compiled or scripting languages.
• Required: Hands-on work in a Linux environment.
• Required: Experience defining software test cases, developing test scripts, and assessing software requirements from a verification perspective.
• Required: Working knowledge of object-oriented design in any programming language.
• Required: Comfort with change in a dynamic setting, strong technical skill, and clear verbal and written communication.
• Required: Ability to juggle several priorities with little supervision.
• Required: A responsible, team-minded, hard-working person with strong coordination and organization skills.
• Desired: An M.S. in aerospace, mechanical, electrical, computer or software engineering, computer science, or a related field.
• Desired: Strong JSON scripting experience.
• Desired: Python experience.
• Desired: Experience developing and automating CTF scripts.
• Desired: Experience automating verification tests.
• Desired: Experience with spacecraft or aircraft flight software verification and certification. Automotive or autonomous vehicle experience is also highly valued.
• Desired: Experience with RESTful APIs.
• Desired: A software development background, particularly in Python.
• Desired: Experience using Python to design and implement a test scripting scheme that interfaces with a RESTful API.
• Desired: Experience writing flight software requirements.
• Desired: Experience with bus communication protocols (e.g., 1553, RS-422, RS-232, USB, Ethernet).
• Desired: Experience with safety-critical flight software in aerospace or other industries.
• Desired: Vehicle-wide knowledge of space vehicle systems.
• Desired: Data manipulation skills in Excel, Python or similar tools, plus general scripting in JSON, Python, Bash or PowerShell for automation and tool development.

Conditions

Full-time, regular position, performed onsite at NASA JSC in Houston, Texas.

Travel of up to 10%, within the continental US.

Minimum clearance required to start: NACI.

The position depends on funding and may not be filled right away. It reflects roles the company regularly has open, and applicants may be considered for other openings.

Proposed salary range: $76,000 - $155,700 USD. Final pay depends on location, federal contract labor categories and wage rates, relevant experience, skills, education and certifications.

Benefits

• Competitive compensation, plus healthcare, wellness, financial, retirement, family support, continuing education, and time off benefits.
• Flexible time off that lets you take the time you need.
• Access to learning resources and development opportunities.